Gear Review: Osprey Aether 70/Ariel 65 Weeklong Pack

Don't worry, the updates to these tried-and-true packs are worthy.

Heavy Duty

When Osprey told us it was updating its stellar Aether and Ariel series, we worried it was fixing something that wasn’t broken. But one tester comment is all it took for us to stop fretting: “I carried the previous Aether on Denali in 2005, and, believe me, this new model handles bulkier gear and hauls even more weight, up to 60 pounds, without an ounce hanging on my shoulders.”

Credit the wider packbag, a more thickly padded backpanel, and a thicker hipbelt. Testers also loved the long main-compartment zipper, which makes it easy to access any area of the pack, and the lumbar straps (not hipbelt stabilizers) that run from the lower packbag to the hipbelt. The straps focus payload onto your lower back, so you can stand up straight, instead of hunching under the weight.